Family clothing retailer has been in Tuscaloosa more than 20 years

Published: Friday, April 5, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 11:17 p.m.

The family clothing store in University Mall plans to close April 25, according to a posting on the Tuscaloosa store’s Facebook page.

Employees at the store confirmed the closing date, but they directed other questions to the company’s headquarters in San Francisco.

A headquarters spokesperson responded to an emailed list of questions from The Tuscaloosa News with the following statement:

“As part of our real estate strategy for Gap brand as outlined in 2007, we want each of our stores to be the best possible representation of who we are — a well-loved American brand known for its optimistic, casual style. The Gap store closures scheduled in early 2013, including the University Mall store, are the final stores to be shut down as part of the long-term real estate strategy outlined in 2007.”

The statement did not answer questions on how many employees would lose their jobs, nor address if the Gap might return to Tuscaloosa in the future.

The local Gap store indicated on its online posting that it has begun to liquidate its stock of clothing and now has 40 percent off on all its merchandise.

The Gap opened in Tuscaloosa in 1991 and added the Gap Kids to the University Mall store around 2000 or 2001, according to store employees.

With the store’s closing, the nearest Gap stores will be at Hoover’s Riverchase Galleria and Birmingham’s Summit shopping centers.

Denise Connell, University Mall’s assistant property manager and marketing director, said the mall plans to seek a new tenant for the soon-to-be vacated space.

“Whenever there is a vacancy, there’s an opportunity for a new retailer to come in, and our leasing department will be working hard to make sure that happens,” she said.

Gap is the flagship brand of Gap Inc., which also owns retailers Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, Athleta and INTERMIX. It has about 3,100 stores and 136,000 employees worldwide, according to its website.

<p>After more than 20 years in Tuscaloosa, the Gap is leaving town.</p><p>The family clothing store in University Mall plans to close April 25, according to a posting on the Tuscaloosa store's Facebook page.</p><p>Employees at the store confirmed the closing date, but they directed other questions to the company's headquarters in San Francisco.</p><p>A headquarters spokesperson responded to an emailed list of questions from The Tuscaloosa News with the following statement:</p><p>“As part of our real estate strategy for Gap brand as outlined in 2007, we want each of our stores to be the best possible representation of who we are — a well-loved American brand known for its optimistic, casual style. The Gap store closures scheduled in early 2013, including the University Mall store, are the final stores to be shut down as part of the long-term real estate strategy outlined in 2007.”</p><p>The statement did not answer questions on how many employees would lose their jobs, nor address if the Gap might return to Tuscaloosa in the future.</p><p>The local Gap store indicated on its online posting that it has begun to liquidate its stock of clothing and now has 40 percent off on all its merchandise.</p><p>The Gap opened in Tuscaloosa in 1991 and added the Gap Kids to the University Mall store around 2000 or 2001, according to store employees.</p><p>With the store's closing, the nearest Gap stores will be at Hoover's Riverchase Galleria and Birmingham's Summit shopping centers.</p><p>Denise Connell, University Mall's assistant property manager and marketing director, said the mall plans to seek a new tenant for the soon-to-be vacated space.</p><p>“Whenever there is a vacancy, there's an opportunity for a new retailer to come in, and our leasing department will be working hard to make sure that happens,” she said. </p><p>Gap is the flagship brand of Gap Inc., which also owns retailers Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, Athleta and INTERMIX. It has about 3,100 stores and 136,000 employees worldwide, according to its website.</p>